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Sunday, December 30, 2018

Rep. Sheila Jackson (D-TX) introduced a bill demonstrating that the Democratic Party is already doing a poor job of addressing immigration. It is called the “Protect American Taxpayers and Secure Border Act” and it stipulates that a wall must be paid for by Mexico. Here is the entire text:

To prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to build a wall between Mexico and the United States, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Protect American Taxpayers and Secure Border Act”.SEC. 2. PROHIBITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO BORDER SECURITY.

(a) In General.—No taxpayer funds may be obligated or expended to build a wall or barrier intended to impede travel between Mexico and the United States.

(b) Foreign Payment Required.—Any wall or barrier described in subsection (a) that is proposed to be built shall be paid for using funds provided by the Government of Mexico.

(c) Securing The Southern Border.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary to secure the southern border by making maximum effective utilization of technology and improved training of U.S. Custom and Border Protection agents and officers.

(d) Increase In Immigration Judges.—The Attorney General may appoint 100 additional immigration judges in addition to immigration judges currently serving as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

(e) Humanitarian Assistance.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to immigrants, refugees, and other displaced persons who are in need of medical assistance and aid to sustain health and life.

Given Rep. Jackson's views on immigration, I take this as well-intentioned. But it is terrible. We need to stop with the nonsense about Mexico paying. It's not just that U.S. taxpayers shouldn't pay for such a useless thing. No one should. It is insulting, damages bilateral relations, and serves no purpose. It defies common sense.

Perhaps this is just a ruse. We know Mexico won't actually pay, but we'll throw a bone to the worst xenophobes by pretending we will make them pay. I hope it is not this cynical and that xenophobic views do not get recognition at all beyond curt, simple rejection.